Data-projection device for disposable cameras

ABSTRACT

A data-projection device particularly suited for disposable cameras that offers high reliability without the need for a dedicated monitoring device affixed thereto. A dedicated battery is embedded in this data-projection device and an associated battery terminal extends over the entire surface of the data-projection device. One of the circuit board surfaces securing the electrical components of the data-projection device is covered with an anti-electrostatic copper foil pattern which is connected to the battery, thus providing a shield effect with the battery terminal and the copper foil pattern strobe. Further, preferably, the strobe unit and the data-projection device are separated from each other by at least 2 mm. To reduce noise effects from introducing data display errors in the liquid crystal display spring area provided in the battery terminal and is fastened as the receiving area for the guide frame of the main body of the disposable camera to absorb impacts and a dedicated backup capacitor is installed to provide backup in the event the battery contacts are separated from the battery when the data-projection device or the camera it is attached to is jarred or dropped.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an optical data-projection device that projectsdata such as the date onto photographic film.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional data-projection devices for use in cameras typicallyinclude a liquid crystal panel capable of displaying data such as dateand time and, define a light path for guiding light emanating from alight source through this liquid crystal panel. The light filtered bythe LCD is then displayed on this liquid crystal panel is projected ontophotographic film contained within the camera during exposure. In themost common arrangement, the data-projection device is installed on theback lid of the camera so as to face the back side of the film mountedin the camera, and uses a light source such as a lamp to project dataonto a specific area (several millimeters) on the back side of the film.

By contrast, other configurations are proposed such as that disclosed inJapanese patent application No. S56-139141 which uses the externallygenerated light such as sunlight. FIG. 18 schematically shows theconfiguration of this camera. Photographing shutter 8 is positionedbetween camera photographing lens 6 and photographic film 16, and animage is projected onto area 13 of film 16 when shutter 8 opens. Inaddition to this optical system, transmission-type projection liquidcrystal display device 3 which is capable of forming the data pattern tobe projected onto the photographic film, is positioned between externallight intake area 76 and photographic film 16. Therefore, afterfiltering by projection liquid crystal display device 3, external light77 taken in from external light intake area 76 exposes photographic film16 via data lens 9 and projects a data image corresponding to the datapattern onto area 12 of photographic film 16. This data-projectionoperation is controlled by photographing shutter 8 and occurs insynchronism with a normal photographing operation.

The above-described configuration results in lower manufacturing andparts costs because the data-projection device need not include aninternal light source, and there is no need for a separate triggersignal generation device for data projection because the shutter of thecamera is used as a projection trigger. This configuration also offersan advantage because the use of external light for projection results ina constant brightness ratio between the photographic object and the datato be projected, resulting in a constant photographic density of theprojected data and making it possible to clearly project the data evenin a camera lacking exposure correction. Therefore, this configurationis suitable to applications such as disposable cameras for which lowcost is a prime concern.

However, the following problems exist when using the conventionalambient light driven data-projection device described hereinabove. Whenaffixed to a disposable camera, such a data-projection device ispositioned in the front part of the camera. Consequently, space cannotbe allocated for a display device for monitoring the data to beprojected because the front face must also accommodate a photographinglens and a shutter. Therefore, one conventional design trend is toreduce the size of the data-projection window and limit the data to beprojected to year, month, and date only, by not offering data selectionor correction, and by eliminating the typical mode selection/correctionswitch and the display device for monitoring. However, the lack of amonitor display and a correction switch makes it impossible to check foror correct faulty projection data, which can be caused by external noisesuch as static electricity and the impact of being dropped. And,particularly in the case of a disposable camera, the noise from thestrobe circuit board during strobe charging or discharging can cause anerror or malfunction when the data-projection device is positionedproximate the strobe circuit board.

It would be desirable if a function for checking data could be providedwithout the installation of a dedicated display device for monitoring.Accordingly, Japanese patent application No. S56-101135 discloses aknown data confirmation method using ambient light in which a reflectionmirror is installed on the top surface of a shutter located on the backof a projection liquid crystal display device so that display contentscan be checked. A problem remains in this case, however, in that thedata image viewed is inverted, thereby making confirmation difficult.Although it is possible to electrically invert the display, the font ispredetermined and thus simple inversion will not make the confirmationof the projected data any easier.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

In consideration of these and related problems, it is an object of theinvention to provide a data-projection structure that will minimizeerrors and malfunction during normal usage.

It is a further object of the invention to enable data checking withoutthe installation of a dedicated display device for monitoring therebykeeping production costs low.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with these and related objects, a dedicated battery isinstalled within the data-projection device of the present invention.The battery terminals extend over an entire surface of thedata-projection device. Further, one of the circuit board surfaces iscovered with an anti-electrostatic copper foil pattern and the patternis connected to the aforementioned battery. Such a configuration canprevent external noise, such as static electricity and noise generatedby strobe changing or discharge, from causing a display error in thedata-projection device. Additionally, the battery is preferablyinstalled in a non-removable manner, so that the impact of a fall, etc.will not separate the battery contacts from the battery. Moreover,preferably part of the battery contacts constitutes a spring in order toabsorb the impact of a fall, etc., and a dedicated backup capacitor isinstalled to provide backup in the event the battery contacts areseparated from the battery. Such a configuration can prevent the impactof a fall from causing a display error.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, data output terminalsmay be provided on the surface of the disposable camera to which thedata-projection device may be affixed. Connecting these terminals to anexternal data display device enables data confirmation and correctfunctionality. Additionally, the front part of the liquid crystaldisplay device for data projection of the package of the disposablecamera is preferably transparent, and a reflective sheet is positionedon the surface of the shutter located on the back of the liquid crystaldisplay device, so that the data reflected by the reflective surface ofthe shutter can be confirmed through the package surface. Since thedisplay on the liquid crystal is inverted, an optic adaptor may be usedon board the camera to invert the display and to enable clearly visibleconfirmation thereof. With such a configuration, a user can confirmprojection data when he or she purchases a disposable camera, withoutthe installation of a dedicated data-display device.

Other objects and attainments together with a fuller understanding ofthe invention will become apparent and appreciated by referring to thefollowing description of a specific preferred embodiment and claims,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, wherein like reference symbols refer to like parts:

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example disposable camera inwhich the data-projection device according to the present invention hasbeen installed;

FIG. 2 is a front planar view of the data-projection device according tothe presently preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear planar view of the data-projection device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the data-projection device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a planar schematic view of the data-projection device of FIG.2;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the battery terminal of the data-projectiondevice of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a circuit block diagram of the data-projection deviceaccording to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 8A-8E are overall and detailed serial communication timingdiagrams respectively of the data-projection device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8F is an instruction chart for serial communication shown in FIGS.8A-8E;

FIG. 9 is a front schematic view schematically showing the presentlypreferred data-projection device installed in the disposable camera ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a partial horizontal cross-section of the assembly of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a partial vertical cross-section of the assembly of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a more detailed view of the assembly of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front plan view of the assembly of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a partial vertical cross-section of the assembly of FIG. 13illustrating the data setting/confirmation device according to thepreferred embodiment installed therein;

FIG. 15 is a diagram of the comparison circuit within the presentlypreferred data-projection device of the invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates the disposable camera assembly of FIG. 9 wrappedinside a package;

FIG. 17 is a cross-section diagram in which a data-projection adapteraccording to the preferred embodiment is attached to the package of FIG.16; and

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a camera including a conventionalambient light data-projection device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an example disposable camera in whichthe data-projection device according the presently preferred embodimentof the invention has been installed. Data-projection device 1 ispositioned on the photographing lens 6 side of photographing shutter 8,next to photographing lens 6. Because strobe unit 10 is positioned nextto shutter 8 in a disposable camera, the data-projection device ispositioned on the photographing lens side of strobe unit 10.

An explanation of data projection operation of this camera followshereinbelow. Pressing release 7 opens shutter 8, allowing photographinglight 15 to be projected onto film 16 through the photographing lens inthe main body. Furthermore, strobe unit 10 discharges lightsimultaneously with the opening of shutter 8. In this embodiment,shutter 8 also acts as the activation shutter for the data-projectionarea. Therefore, simultaneously with the opening of shutter 8, light 14condensed by condensing lens 2 passes through projection liquid crystaldisplay device 3 and forms an image in data-projection area 12 of film16 with data lens 9. Data-projection area 12 becomes part ofphotographing area 13 of photographing lens 16. Consequently, data isalso projected simultaneously when a photograph is taken. The use of asingle shutter for both photograph taking and data projection eliminatesthe need for data-projection trigger, thus enabling data projectionusing a simple mechanism. When the transmittance of projection liquidcrystal display device 3 is around 20% and shutter 8 is shared for bothphotographing and imprinting, the light 14 used for the projection datais consequentially darker than that of the photographing lens due toprojection translucent light loss caused by liquid crystal displaydevice 3. Therefore, condensing lens 2 collects and condenses availableambient light to make the light 14 of the projection data as bright asthe photographing light 15. In so doing, interior of condensing lens 2has Fresnel shape so that it can collect the ambient light. Though notshown in this figure, it is also possible to collect the amount of lightnecessary for data projection by using a dedicated data-projectionshutter instead of a condensing lens and by altering the amount of timethe shutter remains open, as is well known in the art.

Battery 5 of the data-projection device is exclusively used inconjunction with the data-projection device, is kept separate fromstrobe battery 11, and is installed inside data-projection device 20.Although it is possible to share the strobe battery 11 in order toachieve further size and cost reductions, such an option is not used inthe preferred embodiment for the following reason. When strobe battery11 is shared, strobe unit 10 and the data-projection device becomeconnected via the battery, and consequently the fall in the batteryvoltage during strobe charging or the massive voltage during strobecharging may enter the data-projection device, reducing its reliability.

FIG. 2 is a front planar view of the presently preferred data-projectiondevice; and FIG. 3 is the rear view of the same. The data-projectiondevice comprises circuit board 17 with an IC and electrical componentsmounted thereon, panel frame 18, condensing lens 2, projection liquidcrystal display device 3 therebeneath (FIG. 3), battery 5, and batteryterminal 23. Reference numeral 19 refer to the characters displayed onthe projection liquid crystal display device. Because the data is fixedto year, month, and date in this embodiment, only characters necessaryfor projecting year/month/date onto the film are used. Characters 19 areinverted in the front view of FIG. 2 and shown normally in the rear viewof FIG. 3. Reference numeral 20 indicates the heat-crimping area forfastening circuit board 17 to panel frame 18. Reference numeral 22refers to a guide hole for installing the data-projection device in adisposable camera such as that shown in FIGS. 9 and 13 and described inmore detail hereinbelow.

The data-projection device is structured so that projection liquidcrystal display device 3 is held between circuit board 17 and panelframe 18. The protrusion from panel frame 18 is aligned to pass throughthe hole 22 in circuit board 17, and is then fastened using heatcrimping. In this embodiment, heat crimping area 20 is provided in sixlocations.

Following the heat crimping, battery 5 is installed and electricallysecured using battery terminals 23. After battery 5 is installed, thedata setting device is connected to data setting/confirmation terminal28, and setting of year/month/date and time data is performed. The datasetting method will be explained in detail hereinbelow. Lastly, afterthe characters 19 of the data of the projection liquid crystal displaydevice 3 is confirmed, condensing lens 2 is fastened to circuit board17. Although not shown herein, it is also possible to fasten condensinglens 2 to the body case of the disposable camera.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of the preferred data-projection device;and FIG. 5 shows a planar schematic view thereof. In FIG. 5, batteryterminals 23 are omitted for the sake of clarity. A clock circuit foryear/month/date data (not shown), IC 4 equipped with a drive circuit fordriving the projection liquid crystal display device, mold 29 forprotecting the IC, capacitor 30 for voltage boosting, backup capacitor31, and quartz 21 are mounted on circuit board 17 on the side of panelframe 18. Because quartz 21 is thicker than other components, part ofthe circuit board is shaved to partially embed the quartz in the circuitboard during assembly. The side of circuit board 17, opposite from theassembly surface in which the aforementioned electrical components arepopulated, is covered with copper foil pattern 32. Although pattern 32is not shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 so as not to obscure the remainingstructure, (instead see FIG. 12) it is connected to battery e.g. 5.Zebra connector 33 is used for connecting projection liquid crystaldisplay device 3 and circuit board 17.

The method of fastening battery 5 and battery terminal 23 will beexplained in detail using FIGS. 3 and 4. Battery 5 is fastened by beingpressed down by panel frame 18 and battery terminal 23. Because battery5 has sufficient capacity to last until the disposable camera'sexpiration date and thus need not be replaced, it is positioned towardthe rear side of the data-projection device as viewed from thephotographing lens of the disposable camera. Battery terminal 23 isfastened to latching area 26 of panel frame 18 so that battery 5 willnot be disengaged by the impact of a fall, etc. Furthermore, connectionarea 27 for circuit board 17 is provided with a spring characteristic toform a pressure connect with the circuit board. Fastening this areausing solder would further improve the reliability of the batteryconnection.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of battery terminal 23. In FIGS. 5 and 6, batteryterminal 23 has a shape that almost completely covers battery 5 andpanel frame 18. Contact point 24 is fastened in three locations to thecontact area between battery terminal 23 and battery 5 so that itpresses down on the battery surface when battery terminal 23 isfastened, thus preventing it from being disengaged by the impact of afall, etc. Although three contact points are used in this embodiment, alarger number of contact points would of course increase the reliabilityat the expense of manfacturability. It is also possible to use solderingfor fastening this area as well. Spring area 25 protrudes around contactpoints 24 in the direction opposite from battery 5. When installed inthe main body of the disposable camera, this spring area 25 becomes thereceiving area for the main body guide area and acts as a shock absorberfor impact events involving the presently preferred data-projectiondevice.

Backup capacitor 31 is connected to an area near the power supplyterminal of IC 4, and maintains the power supply voltage should thepower supply battery be temporarily disconnected. Note that the capacityof backup capacitor 31 needs to be at least 0.1˜0.5 μF! larger thanformula C=it/ΔV if the time (t) during which the power supply isdisconnected lasts for tens of milliseconds, the current consumption (i)of the system is approximately 2 μA!, and the voltage decline (ΔV) iskept within 0.5 V!.

Next, the data setting (writing) and confirmation (reading) according tothe preferred embodiment will be explained hereinbelow with referencesto FIG. 7 and FIGS. 8A-8F. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of IC 4; and FIGS.8A and 8B are timing diagrams of the serial interface (hereafterreferred to as "SIO circuit") between the data-projection deviceaccording to the preferred embodiment and an external data write/readdevice.

In FIG. 7, IC 4 includes oscillation circuit 34, dividing circuit 35,clock counter 36, display decoder 37, latch circuit 38, LCD driver 39,SIO circuit 40, reset circuit 44, comparison circuit 45, code settingcircuit 46, OR gate 47, and pull-down resistors 55 and 56. Quartzoscillator 21 is connected to oscillation circuit 34, and projectionliquid crystal display device 3 is connected to LCD driver 39, asexternal circuits to IC 4. Three pins for SIO (CS pin 41, SCK pin 42,and DATA pin 43) are provided which are connected to the externalcircuit for writing/reading clock data(year/month/day/hour/minute/second). SR pin 50 for IC reset and test pin49 for test modes are also provided. Of the pins for SIO 40, CS pin 41and SCK pin 42 receive signals from outside circuits. CS pin 41 goesactive during data transmission, and during that period the clock datais written/read via DATA pin 43 synchronously with the external clockthat is input into SCK pin 42.

Next, communication of clock data by SIO circuit 40 will be explainedusing FIGS. 8A-8F. Data communication begins when CS pin 41 goes "L"(active). Then, the data sent to DATA pin 43 synchronously with theclock that is input into SCK pin 42 is received. The data to be receivedis read into DATA pin 43 at the rising timing of the clock signal.

The first byte of the data is an instruction code that specifies themethod for processing the data that follows. In this embodiment, datawriting is executed when the instruction code is "LHLXXXXX", and datareading is executed when the instruction code is "LLHXXXXX" (see FIG.8F). The clock data to be written or read in a single data communicationcycle consists of a total of six bytes, i.e., bytes 2 through 7indicated in FIG. 8D. Byte 2 represents the year data, byte 3 representsthe month data, byte 4 represents the date data, byte 5 represents thehour data, byte 6 represents the minute data, and byte 7 represents thesecond data. The upper four bits of each byte indicate the tens digitwhile the lower four bits indicate ones digit of the associated data.

The data that has been written is sent to clock counter 36, and countingcontinues synchronously with the count-up clock from dividing circuit35. Year/month/date data 52 from clock counter 36 is decoded by displaydecoder 37 and is displayed in externally-connected projection liquidcrystal display device 3 via latch circuit 38 and LCD driver 39. Displaydecoder 37 is controlled by display enable signal 48, outputs the datawithout changing it when the display enable signal is "H", and outputs ablank image when the display enable signal is "L". Latch circuit 39fetches the display data from display decoder 37 based on latch signal51 from dividing circuit 35. Since the display only shows the year,month and date in this example, the display data need only be fetchedonce a day. However, because the data inside latch circuit 38, which isphysically and electrically near the projection liquid crystal displaydevice, might be altered by external noise, etc., latch signal 51 is setto 1 to 5 Hz by taking current consumption into consideration.

As explained above, because the current time can be set and confirmedbased on communication from the outside and because only a singleyear/month/date display mode is provided, the display panel or monitordisplay, mode switch, selection switch, and correction switch all becomeunnecessary. The present invention thereby provides an improveddata-projection device for a camera without a dedicated monitor display.

FIG. 9 is a front planar view schematically showing the state in whichthe presently preferred data-projection device is installed in adisposable camera. In this figure, data-projection device 1 ispositioned to the right of photographing lens 6, overlapping strobe unit10. Photographing shutter 8 extends to the back side of projectionliquid crystal display device 3. Condensing lens 2 is located belowphotographing lens 6.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-section of the assembly of FIG. 9 viewedfrom the transverse direction. Normally, the projection data isprojected onto the bottom side of the final photograph. Since thephotograph image is projected onto the film after being inverted by thephotographing lens, the projection data must be projected onto the topside of the film. However, in FIG. 10, data lens 9 must be positioned asclose to photographing lens 6 as possible in order to prevent eclipsingof photographing light 15. In this case, it is preferable to positionprojection liquid crystal display device 3 near photographing lens 6 inorder to avoid increasing the size of the disposable camera. However,the distance between projection liquid crystal display device 3 and datalens 9 becomes shorter than the distance between data lens 9 and film16, resulting in a data-magnifying optical system and projection datathat is too large relative to the photograph. Therefore, in order toincrease the distance between projection liquid crystal display device 3and data lens 9, projection liquid crystal display device 3 ispositioned below photographing lens 6, and the light from the projectionliquid crystal display device is reflected by reflection mirror 57 ontoan area above photographing lens 6, and is then reflected by secondreflection mirror 58 toward data lens 9, as a result extending thedistance to data lens 9. In this way, the length of the optical pathfrom projection liquid crystal display device 3 to data lens 9 becomesnearly equal to the optical path from the data lens 9 to film 16. Thisresults in nearly equal data magnification rates.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-section of the assembly of FIG. 9 viewedfrom the top direction. Shutter guide frame 59 which guidesphotographing shutter 8 is positioned from the front face of shutter 8all the way to the bottom side of data-projection device 1. Protrusion60 for fastening the data-projection device 1 to the camera 10 protrudesfrom shutter guide frame 59, and is secured through guide hole 22 of thedata-projection device.

When shutter 8 opens, the light from the photographing object entersfrom photographing lens 6 into area 13, and is projected onto film 16.At the same time, light 14 which is condensed by condensing lens 2 isfiltered into the shape of the data when it passes through projectionliquid crystal display device 3, and proceeds to data lens 9. Althoughthe light is actually reflected by two reflection mirrors beforeproceeding to the data lens, the reflection mirrors are not shown hereinin order to simplify and reinforce the concepts of the presentinvention. The data is projected onto area 12 of the film by data lens9. Data lens 9 is fastened to main body by frame 61 of the disposablecamera. FIG. 12 shows a magnified view of part of FIG. 11, focusing inon the area in which the battery is installed.

As explained earlier, the side of circuit board 17 on which condensinglens 2 is located, is completely covered with copper foil pattern 32 andis connected to battery 5. This is the area of the data-projectiondevice close to the exterior of the disposable camera. Noise such asstatic electricity, that adversely affects ICs, enters this area fromexternal sources, as is well known in the art. By covering this areawith copper foil pattern 32 and connecting it to the battery, pattern 32acts as a shield against noise from outside, and thus can preventmalfunction due to an external noise malfunction resulting in a displayerror in the projection data. Condensing lens 2 likewise inherently actsas a shield for preventing external noise from entering projectionliquid crystal display device 3. Battery terminal 23 covers the entiresurface of panel frame 18 and acts as a shield against the noisegenerated while the strobe is being charged by strobe unit 10 located onthe back side of the data-projection device. Furthermore, by fasteningthe data-projection device in front of shutter guide frame 59, thedata-projection device is positioned approximately 2 mm away from thestrobe unit, i.e., in a location that receives, at most, only attenuatednoise signals emanating from strobe unit 10. Spring holding area 25 isfastened to battery terminal 23 to receive shutter guide frame 59.During an impact event, etc., this spring area 25 is designed to absorbthe impact from the disposable camera main body to the data-projectiondevice and prevents the impact from causing a display error in thedata-projection device. Providing battery terminal 23 with spring area25 can reduce the impact that will be imparted to the data-projectiondevice, without the installation of a component dedicated for impactabsorption.

Next, techniques for confirming and correcting data after the presentlypreferred data-projection device has been installed in a disposablecamera will be explained. Data is set and confirmed using the datasetting/confirmation device of the data-projection device explainedhereinabove. FIG. 13 shows an external front plan view of a disposablecamera in which the data-projection device according to the inventionhas been installed. Main body case 62 includes photographing lens 6,condensing lens 2, and a hole for strobe unit 10, all of which areexposed to the outside of main body case 62. A terminal hole 63 for datasetting/confirmation is provided next to condensing lens 2, and datasetting/confirmation terminals 28 of the data-projection device as shownin FIG. 5 are located inside this terminal hole. However, since datasetting/confirmation terminals 28 of the data-projection device areinstalled on the back side of the data-projection device as viewed fromthe main body case, they cannot be accessed directly through circuitboard 63 hole in the main body case. Therefore, terminals 64 (FIG. 14)for connecting a setting device are fastened to datasetting/confirmation terminals 28 of the data-projection device inadvance using soldering or pressure welding.

FIG. 14 is a cross-section showing the data setting/confirmation deviceconnected to the data-projection device according to the preferredembodiment inside a disposable camera. To confirm data, connectionterminal 66 of data setting/confirmation device 65 is inserted into theterminal hole in the main body cover of the disposable camera and isconnected to terminal 64 extending from the circuit board 17. The datathat is being displayed in the data-projection device is transferred tosetting/confirmation device 65 and can then be confirmed. If thedisplayed data is abnormal, if the date is incorrect, or if data displayis stopped, it is possible to reset the data. In this way, the data canbe confirmed or reset even after the data-projection device has beeninstalled in the disposable camera. The data confirmation/correctiondevice can be installed in a store for use when a disposable camera issold, or can be separately purchased and used by the buyer of thedisposable camera.

This section explains how the presently preferred data-projection devicehandles an erroneous reset.

FIG. 15 depicts the comparison circuit 45 initially shown in FIG. 7,which consists of eight 2-input XOR gates and one 8-input OR gate. Inthis example, of the year/month/date data 52, only the year data (tensand ones digits) is compared to set data 53. In most designs, theinternal clock data is usually initialized to January 1, 19XX 00:00:00when the IC is reset (where "XX" is the yearsest of the years that arehandled).

In this embodiment, the initial value is set to 1996 assuming that thedisposable camera will be used in 1997 or later. Meanwhile, the contentof set data 53 is also set to 1996. If reset is erroneously by externalnoise, etc. during operation, the year data in clock counter 36 is setto 1996. Since set data 53 has been set to 1996, comparison result 54 ofcomparison circuit 45 becomes "L". Because the test terminal is normallypulled down to VSS by pull-down resistor 55 and is set to "L", displayenable signal 48 which is the output of OR gate 47 becomes "L".Consequently, display decoder 37 goes into a display disabled status andblanks out the display output. As a result, nothing will be displayed inthe projection liquid crystal display device, and thus incorrect datawill not be projected onto the film even if a projection process isexecuted. In this example, it is possible to disable projection for oneyear if no clock data is written after reset.

Note that although a code setting circuit is provided inside IC 4 inthis example, it is also possible to lead out the circuit in the form ofterminals and to set codes on the circuit board. Furthermore, althoughonly the year data for 1996 was compared here, it is also possible toadjust the projection-disabled period by changing the value or range ofthe data to be compared.

Additionally, by setting test terminal 49 to "H" during testing, it ispossible to set the display enable signal to "H" and display data in theprojection liquid crystal display device, regardless of the result ofcomparison circuit 45.

Because the above operation blanks out data display on the projectionliquid crystal display device when reset occurs, the projection liquidcrystal display device does not let light through even when the shutteris opened, and thus no risk exists for wrong data being projected.

Another alternative technique for confirming the projection data isexplained below.

FIG. 16 shows disposable camera 67 is wrapped inside package 68.Normally, disposable cameras are sold wrapped in this kind of package.Area 69 corresponding to projection liquid crystal display device 3 ofthe disposable camera is transparent, making it possible to checkprojection liquid crystal display device 3 from outside. In this state,the projection data being displayed in the projection liquid crystaldisplay device is inverted and cannot be easily verified. Therefore, anoptical adapter for checking is used to make accurate checking easier.FIG. 17 is a cross-section diagram in which this adapter is attached tothe disposable camera package. Adapter 70 is provided with half mirror71. Light 74 that enters adapter 70 passes through half mirror 71 andprojection liquid crystal display device 3, and is then reflected byreflection plate 72 which is on the surface of shutter 8 on the backside of projection liquid crystal display device 3. Light 75 which hasbeen reflected by the reflection plate passes through projection liquidcrystal display device 3, and is reflected by half mirror 71, and thenthe data is magnified by magnification lens 73. If viewed from the sideof magnification lens 73, the display data is inverted by half mirror 71and is magnified, enabling the user to easily check the data throughadapter 70. The adapter can also be used even after the package has beenremoved and the disposable camera is already being used. Note howeverthat this technique cannot be used if the condensing lens has a Fresnelshape, making it impossible to check the panel display through the lens.

It would also be possible to make only the area of the packagecorresponding to the projection liquid crystal display deviceopenable/closable, so that the package can be opened for attaching anadapter for checking and be closed after checking.

Because a dedicated noise battery circuit is embedded therein, thedata-projection device according to the preferred embodiment can providehigh reliability without the need for a monitoring device.

Furthermore, the battery terminal is extended over the entire devicesurface, one of the circuit board surfaces is covered with ananti-electrostatic copper foil pattern which is connected to thebattery, thus providing an active electrostatic shield with the batteryterminal and the copper foil pattern. Moreover, spring area is providedwithin the battery terminal and is fastened as the receiving area forthe guide frame of the main body of the disposable camera to absorbimpacts. Further, a dedicated backup capacitor is installed to providebackup in the event the battery contacts are separated from the batteryby the impact of a fall, etc., preventing external noise from sourcessuch as static electricity and strobe, or falling impact from causing adisplay error. Therefore a data-projection device with higherreliability can be provided without the need for a monitoring device.

Additionally, according to the above-described preferred embodiment ofthe invention, the clock counter data is constantly being compared withthe preset data (value equaling the clock counter data present at thetime of reset), and when the two pieces of data match each other, areset is judged to have occurred and the display of the data-projectiondevice is blanked out. Therefore incorrect data will not be projectedeven if reset occurs.

Moreover, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, aterminal hole for data confirmation is provided in the main body of thedisposable camera, and data can be confirmed and reset by connecting anexternal data setting/confirmation device, without the need to install amonitoring device or an on board correction device. The area of thedisposable camera package that covers of the projection liquid crystaldisplay device can be made transparent, a reflection sheet may be placedon the surface of the shutter positioned on the back of the projectionliquid crystal display device, so the data reflected on the reflectivesurface of the shutter can be checked through the package surface; andthe display can be checked by adding an adapter that reverts theinverted data back to a normal display state. Therefore, data can bechecked easily without the need to add a dedicated monitoring deviceaffixed to the data-projection device.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with severalspecific embodiments, it is evident to those skilled in the art thatmany further alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparentin light of the foregoing description. Thus, the invention describedherein is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications,applications and variations as may fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data-projection device for a camera without amonitor display, comprising:a liquid crystal display for filteringambient light received at an ambient light intake area of the camera andfor projecting the filtered ambient light onto a frame of photographicfilm within the camera; a circuit board defining opposing first andsecond major surfaces and an opening therebetween for positioning saidliquid crystal display, said circuit board including a plurality ofelectrical components populating the second major surface thereof; apanel frame securing said circuit board and including a planar surfacedisposed substantially parallel to and opposing the second major surfaceof said circuit board; a battery terminal disposed on and substantiallycovering said planar surface of said panel frame; and a battery disposedon said panel frame and electrically coupled to said battery terminalfor reducing noise and electrostatic damage to said electricalcomponents of said circuit board.
 2. The data-projection device of claim1, further comprising a conductive material substantially covering thefirst major surface of said circuit board and in electricalcommunication with said battery.
 3. The data-projection device of claim2, wherein said conductive material comprises copper foil patterned onthe first major surface of said circuit board.
 4. The data-projectiondevice of claim 1, whereinsaid plurality of electrical componentsincludes a clock/calendar integrated circuit electrically communicatingwith an LCD driver for driving said liquid crystal display; and whereinsaid circuit board includes a plurality of terminals electricallycoupled to said clock/calendar circuit for accessing at least one ofcalendar data, time data, and timing control information.
 5. Thedata-projection device of claim 4, wherein access of calendar and timedata is performed through serial communication across said plurality ofcircuit board terminals.
 6. The data-projection device of claim 1,wherein said battery terminal includes a spring portion electricallycommunicating with said battery to absorb shocks and prevent electricaldisruption between said battery terminal and said battery when thedata-projection device endures an impact.
 7. The data-projection deviceof claim 1, wherein said plurality of electrical components comprises acapacitor electrically communicating with said battery to at leasttemporarily retain a voltage on said battery terminal if electricaldisruption between said battery and said battery terminal occurs.
 8. Acamera without a monitor display, comprising:a housing accommodating atleast one frame of photographic film and defining an ambient lightintake area of a surface thereof; and a data-projection device securedwithin said housing and optically interposing the ambient light intakearea and the frame of photographic film, comprising: a liquid crystaldisplay for filtering ambient light received at the ambient light intakearea of the camera and for projecting the filtered ambient light onto aframe of photographic film within the camera; a circuit board definingopposing first and second major surfaces and an opening therebetween forpositioning said liquid crystal display, said circuit board including aplurality of electrical components populating the second major surfacethereof; a panel frame securing said circuit board and including aplanar surface disposed substantially parallel to and opposing thesecond major surface of said circuit board; a battery terminal disposedon and substantially covering said planar surface of said panel frame;and a battery disposed on said panel frame and electrically coupled tosaid battery terminal for reducing noise and electrostatic damage tosaid electrical components of said circuit board.
 9. The camera of claim8, further comprising a conductive material substantially covering thefirst major surface of said circuit board and in electricalcommunication with said battery.
 10. The camera of claim 9, wherein saidconductive material comprises copper foil patterned on the first majorsurface of said circuit board.
 11. The camera of claim 9, whereinsaidplurality of electrical components includes a clock/calendar integratedcircuit electrically communicating with an LCD driver for driving saidliquid crystal display; and wherein said circuit board includes aplurality of terminals electrically coupled to said clock/calendarcircuit for accessing at least one of calendar data, time data, andtiming control information.
 12. The camera of claim 11, wherein accessof calendar and time data is performed through serial communicationacross said plurality of circuit board terminals.
 13. The camera ofclaim 11, wherein said housing comprises a hole adjacent said circuitboard terminals for external access thereof by a datasetting/confirmation device communicating with the camera.
 14. Thecamera of claim 8, wherein said battery terminal includes a springportion electrically communicating with said battery to absorb shocksand prevent electrical disruption between said battery terminal and saidbattery when the data-projection device endures an impact.
 15. Thecamera of claim 8, wherein said plurality of electrical componentscomprises a capacitor electrically communicating with said battery to atleast temporarily retain a voltage on said battery terminal ifelectrical disruption between said battery and said battery terminaloccurs.
 16. The camera of claim 8, further comprising a dataconfirmation means optically communicating with the ambient light intakearea to verify data to be projected by said liquid crystal display. 17.The camera of claim 16, wherein said data confirmation means includes anoptical inverter to ease readability of the data to be projected by saidliquid crystal display.
 18. The camera of claim 16, further comprising apackage substantially circumscribing said housing, said packageincluding a translucent portion proximate the ambient light intake areathereby defining an optical path between said data confirmation meansand the ambient light intake area.
 19. A data imprinting device withouta monitor display, comprising a liquid crystal display arranged aboutmidway through an optical path extending from an ambient light intake toa photographic film, a liquid crystal display drive unit for causing adata pattern that will be imprinted onto the photographic film, saidliquid crystal display drive unit being formed as a light transmittingpart in said liquid crystal display and a shutter unit which opens andcloses the optical path in conjunction with a photo-shooting shutter,wherein said data imprinting device imprints a data image correspondingto the data pattern by using ambient light that is taken in at saidambient light intake, and a built-in battery which is included for thedata imprinting device use only.
 20. The data imprinting device of claim19, wherein one surface of said data imprinting device is covered with apattern of copper film, and said pattern is connected to said battery.21. The data imprinting device of claim 19, wherein date and time datais written in and read out of said data imprinting device through serialcommunication.
 22. The data imprinting device of claim 19, furthercomprising a battery terminal which includes a spring portion forabsorbing shock.
 23. The data imprinting device of claim 19, furthercomprising a battery terminal and a capacitor for backup use only ifsaid battery and said battery terminal are temporarily disconnected fromeach other.
 24. The data imprinting device of claim 19, furthercomprising a battery terminal which covers at least one side of onesurface of said data imprinting device.
 25. A lens assembly including adata imprinting device without a monitor display, comprising a liquidcrystal display arranged about midway through an optical path extendingfrom an ambient light intake to a photographic film, a liquid crystaldisplay drive unit for causing a data pattern that will be imprintedonto the photographic film, said liquid crystal display drive unit beingformed as a light transmitting part in said liquid crystal display and ashutter unit which opens and closes the optical path in conjunction witha photo-shooting shutter, wherein said data imprinting device imprints adata image corresponding to the data pattern by using ambient light thatis taken in at said ambient light intake, and a built-in battery whichis included for the data imprinting device use only.
 26. The lensassembly of claim 25, wherein one surface of said data imprinting deviceis covered with a pattern of copper film, and said pattern is connectedto said battery.
 27. The lens assembly of claim 25, wherein data andtime data is written in and read out of said data imprinting devicethrough serial communication.
 28. The lens assembly of claim 25, furthercomprising a battery terminal which includes a spring portion forabsorbing shock.
 29. The lens assembly of claim 25, further comprising abattery terminal and a capacitor for backup use only if said battery andsaid battery terminal are temporarily disconnected from each other. 30.The lens assembly of claim 25, further comprising a battery terminalwhich covers at least one side of one surface of said data imprintingdevice.
 31. The lens assembly of claim 29, wherein a terminal hole isprovided on a main body of the lens assembly for setting and confirmingdata, and data to be imprinted in said data imprinting device can be setand confirmed by connecting a data setting and confirmation device tosaid terminal hole.
 32. The lens assembly of claim 25, wherein data tobe imprinted can be confirmed by arranging a detachable adapter for dataconfirmation in front of said liquid crystal display.